Affinity
Free desktop app that combines vector design, photo editing and page layout in a single document format.
Affinity is a professional design application that brings vector drawing, photo retouching and page layout together in a single app with one file format. Affinity is downloaded for macOS or Windows and is free for individuals; optional AI tools need a Canva premium plan, and finished work can be exported to Canva.
Best for Designers, illustrators and photo editors who want vector, raster and layout tools in one desktop application at no cost.
- Platforms
- macOS, Windows
- Pricing model
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Made by
- Affinity
- Added
Last verified: . Information taken from affinity.studio.
What is Affinity?
Affinity is a professional creative application that brings vector drawing, pixel-based photo editing and page layout together in one program. All three kinds of work take place inside the same .af document, so a project does not have to be passed between separate apps. Editing is non-destructive: adjustments stack up, can be reordered or deleted later, and the undo history is saved with the file. PSD, AI, IDML and DWG files open with their layers and structure kept. Finished assets can be sent to Canva for team collaboration or brought into Cavalry for animation. AI tools are optional and are unlocked for people on a Canva premium plan. The app is free for individuals on macOS and Windows, an iPad version is in development, and organisations that need single sign-on are referred to Canva Enterprise.
Key Features
Vector, Pixel and Layout Studios
Switches between drawing, photo retouching and multi-page layout without changing application or file.
File Compatibility
Imports Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign markup and CAD drawings while preserving how they are organised.
Non-Destructive Editing
Keeps the original intact and stores every step, so earlier decisions can be revised even after export.
Performance at Scale
Handles documents with thousands of layers and allows zooming to one million percent for fine detail.
Blend Tool and Scripting
Adds a tool for building blended effects and lets scripts run across vector, pixel and layout content in one document.
Canva and Cavalry Handoff
Exports assets to Canva for campaign production and passes artwork to Cavalry for motion work.
Screenshots
Use Cases
- Logo and Identity Design
- Draw marks and brand graphics with vector tools.
- Photo Retouching
- Correct and composite photographs in the pixel workspace.
- Editorial Layout
- Set up grids and build pages for print or web publications.
- Digital Illustration
- Combine vector shapes and raster brushwork in one illustration.
- Campaign Assets for Teams
- Finish a design in Affinity, then move it into Canva so colleagues can adapt it.
Things to know
- AI depends on a Canva plan
- The AI tools inside the app are only unlocked for Canva premium subscribers.
- No iPad app yet
- The iPad edition is described as being built and has no release date on the page.
- Enterprise access runs through Canva
- Single sign-on for organisations is handled via Canva Enterprise rather than a separate Affinity license.
FAQs
What is Affinity?
Affinity is a professional desktop application for graphic design, photo editing and page layout, all handled in one app.
What is Affinity used for?
Affinity is used for work such as logo creation, digital illustration, typography, photo retouching and laying out multi-page documents.
Is Affinity free?
Yes. The Affinity website states that the app is free for individuals. Its optional AI tools require a Canva premium plan.
Which platforms does Affinity run on?
Affinity is available for macOS, where it runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel, and for Windows. An iPad version is announced as coming soon.
What file formats does Affinity open?
Affinity opens PSD, AI, IDML and DWG files, among others, with layers and structure preserved. Its own documents use the .af format.
Does Affinity include AI features?
Affinity offers AI tools as an option. They are unlocked inside the app for users who have a Canva premium plan.
Can organisations deploy Affinity with SSO?
Affinity directs organisations that need single sign-on to Canva Enterprise, and schools to Canva Education.
Who it's for
- Graphic designers
- Illustrators
- Photo editors
- Layout designers
- Creative teams
Read about it
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- A children's picture book, start to finish: where AI tools help and where they don'tStage 5: Layout, cover and export
- AI tools for writing a book, from the first idea to launch weekStage 7: Formatting for print and ebook
Each guide lists the stages of one job and the tools that help at each stage. All guides
Comments
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